Piano-protector.



MARTIN GNTHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

:PIANO-PROTECTOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Application led October 22, 1912. Serial N o. 727,229.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN GNTHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fiano-Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is primarily designed to protect the under frame or front of a musical instrument having a keyboard or manual such as a piano or organ from being marred by the feet of children when learning to play, the protective means being in the nature of an attachment and consisting of an apron to be placed in front of theunder frame or structure to prevent the feet of children from scratching or otherwise marring the finish of the instrument, the pro tector being detachable so as to be laid aside when the instrument is not played upon or when used by adults.

The invention in its specific formation consists of a flexible apron which is adapted to be rolled or folded into compact form, said apron being adapted to be suspended from the top of the under structure of the instrument and having a loop at its lower edge to engage one of the pedals to hold the apron extended and close against the front of the instrument so as to be out of the way and attract as little attention as possible, it being understood that the finish of the apron preferably corresponds with that of the musical instrument.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combina tion of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure l is a front view of the lower portion of a musical instrument of the upright piano type provided with a protector embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side view, the dotted lines showing the position of the protector when rolled and held suspended beneath the projection containing the keyboard. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the protector.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The invention is shown applied to a musical instrument of the upright piano forte type and is located in front of the under structure immediately below the keyboard projection l. Hooks or suspending devices 2 are applied to the under structure immediately below the keyboard projection l and are adapted to engage the upper edge of the protector 3 which is provided with openings to receive the same. The upper edge of the protector .is cutaway, as shown at Il, to prevent sagging of the upper edge of the apron when the latter is constructed of textile material and also to clear the central support of the keyboard projection provided in some makes of instruments. This cutaway portion 4 also provides clearance for the loop 5 and the strap 6 when the apron is rolled and secured, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The loop 5 is located at the lower edge of the apron in position to engage the middle pedal of the instrument. The strap 6 is attached to the upper edge portion of the apron and is adapted to be passed about the latter when formed into a roll so as to secure the same. The apron may be easily removed from the instrument and laid aside when not required for use or it may be rolled and left in position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the same being hidden from view by reason of its position in the angle formed between the lower side of the keyboard projection l and the front of the under structure of the instrument. The protector may be of any material, but it is preferred to employ a textile fabric or like iieXible material so that the apron may be rolled or folded into compact form so as not to be in the way when not required for immediate use.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

A protector for a musical instrument of the upright pianoforte type, the same comprising a flexible apron having the intermediate portion of its upper edge out away and having openings inits'f upper corner portions, a loop located centrally of the lower 5 edge of the apron,V and a strap at the upper Witnesses:

edge of the apr@ about in line.. with the. EMMANUEL JOHANSON, said loop. AUGL L. MILLER.

i In testimony whereof I aiix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN GUNTHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,Y

Washington, D. C. y Y 

